Japan, as it was, and is

Front matter

JAPAN AS IT WAS AND IS Er RICHARD HILDRETH, AUTHOR OF ;< History of the United States," etc. Boston : phillips, sampson & compy- New York : J. C. Derby. JAPAN AS IT WAS AND I S. BY RICHARD HILDRETH, AUTHOR 0? "HISTORY OI? THE UNITED 9TATES," ETO. BOSTON: PHILLIPS, SAMPSON AND COMPANY. NEW YORK: J. C. DERBY. 1855. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855, by RICHARD HILDRETH, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. Stereotyped by HOBAKI & EOBUINfi, Kctt J-iiglaml Tjpo aud s.-c.<™typt Foundcry, __0_.iQ_».

ADVERTISEMENT.

. In collecting materials for a biography of the first ex plorers and planters of New England and Virginia, I was carried to Japan, where I happened to arrive (in the spirit) almost simultaneously with Commodore Perry's expedition. My interest thus roused in this secluded country has pro duced this book, into which I have put the cream skimmed, or, as I might say, in some cases, the juices laboriously expressed, from a good many volumes, the greater part not very accessible nor very inviting to the general reader, but still containing much that is curious and entertaining, and, to most readers, new; which curiosities, novelties, and palatable extracts, those who choose will thus be enabled to enjoy without the labor that I have undergone in their collection and arrangement — the former, indeed, a labor of love for my own satisfaction ; the latter, one of duty — not to say of necessity — for the pleasure of the reading and book-buying public.

Chapter 1

. Earliest European Knowledge of Japan. — Japanese Histories. — Marco Polo's Account of the Mongol or Tartar Invasion. — Accounts of the same Event given by the Chinese and Japanese Annalists. — a. d. 1231 or 1283, 13 C HA PTER II. Portuguese Empire in the East. — Discovery of Japan. — Galvano's Account of it. — Fernam Mendez Pinto's Account of his First Visit to Japan, and Adventures there. — Japanese Account of the First Arrival of Portuguese. — a. d. 1542-5, 20

Chapter III

Pinto's Second Visit to Japan. — Angiro, or Paul of the Holy Faith. — A. d. 1547 — 1548, . Z7

Chapter IV

Religious Faith Three Centuries ago. — Zeal of the Portuguese Conquerors. — Antonio Galvano. — Missionary Seminaries at Ternate and Goa. — Order of the Jesuits. — Francis Xavier. — His Mission to India. — His Mission to Japan. — His Companion, Cosme De Torres. — The Philippine Islands. — A. d. 1542 — 1550, .41

Chapter V

Political and Religious Condition of Japan, as found by the Portuguese. — The Jacatas, or Kings, and their Vassals. — Revenues. — Money. — Distinction of Ranks. — The Kubo- Sama. — The Dairi. — Sinto. — Buddhism. — Siuto. — A. d. 1550, 53

Chapter IX

Louis Almeida. — The Missionaries establish themselves at Miako. — Louis Froez. — Princes converted in Ximo. — Kise of Nohunanga. — Prosperity of the Missions. —Noble ana Princely Converts. — Nagasaki built. —Nobunanga makes himself Emperor. — A. D. 1557 — 1577, 78

Chapter X

Father Valignani. — State of the Missions. — Conversion and Baptism of the King of Bungo. rt .. a. .-. ... -n 1 . i ■ . . V- T". .. . _--- A-. -.AlnA.I--._v *.-. . l,Iu Il'l..l.'iJ_V Olll' I « _ii I _,_j.-i i i . I .'vL VA U-- ' - ■ wu - --- uiw» -—>--— -----j. -.--. .j __ — Growth of Nagasaki. — Embassy to the Pope. — Documents relating to this Embassy. A. D. 1577— 15S6, 84

Chapter XI

Events meanwhile in Japan. — Downfall of Nobunanga. — Accession of Faxiba, afterwards known as Kambakundono, and, finally, as Taiko-Sama. — Edict against the Jesuits. — Return of the Ambassadors. — a. d. 1582 — 1588, 95

Chapter XII

Recapitulation. — Extent of the Japanese Empire. — Valignani arrives at Nagasaki. — Progress hitherto of the Catholic Faith. The Emperor's Projects against China. — Valignani's Visit to the Emperor at Miako. — Ucondono. — The returned Japanese Ambassadors. — Audience given to Valignani. — The Viceroy's Letter. — The Interpreter Rodriguez. — a. d. 158S— 1593, 100

Chapter XIII

New Troubles of the Missionaries from their own Countrymen. — The Emperor claims Homage of the Governor of the Philippines. — Mutual Jealousies of the Portuguese and Spaniards. — Spanish Adventurers in Japan. — The Emperor's Suspicions excited. — His Reply to the Viceroy of Goa.— a. d. 1591—1592 108

Chapter XIV

The Expedition against Corea. — The Emperor associates his Nephew. — City of Fusimi. — Correspondence of the Emperor with the Governor of Manilla. — The Jesuits denounced by the Spanish Envoys. — Consequences thereof. — Departure of Valignani. — a. d. 1592, 112

Chapter XV

Progress of the Corean War. — Success of the Japanese. — Tsukamadono Viceroy of Corea. — Edict of the Emperor for disarming the Converts in Ximo. — Disgrace and Downfall of the Royal Family of Bungo. — Terazaba, Governor of Nagasaki. — His Conversion and Friendly Acts. — A. D. 1592 — 1593, 115

Chapter XVI

Jealousy on the part of the Dominicans and Franciscans towards the Jesuits. This Jealousy cooperates with the Mercantile Jealousy of the Spaniards at Manilla. Franciscan Friars establish themselves at Miako, Osaka and Nagasaki. — Edicts against them Deposition and Death of the Emperor's Nephew. — a. d. 1593— 1595, 117

Chapter XVII

Great Earthquake.— Mission from China. — Arrival of a Spanish Galleon. — Friars on board her.— New Accusations on her Account against the Jesuits —Connection of the Jesuits with the Trade to Japan. — Arrest of Missionaries and Converts — First Martyrs.— a. d. 1595— 1597, 7. ... 7:120 CONTENTS. VII

Chapter XVIII

New Edict for the Deportation of the Jesuits. — Its Partial Evasion. — New Correspondence between the Philippines and Japan. — Taiko-Sama's Justification of his recent Proceedings. — New Destruction of Churches in Ximo. — Taiko-Sama's Death. — His preceding Efforts to secure his own Deification and the Succession of his infant Son Fide Jori. — Regency. — Ge-Jas its Head, with the Title of Daysu-Sama. —a. d. 1597— 1599, .125

Chapter XIX

Evacuation of Corea. — Return of the converted PrinceB. — Favorable Disposition of Daysu- Sama. — Third Visit of Father Valignani. — Civil War between Daysu-Sama and his Co-Regents. — His Triumph. — Disgrace and Execution of Tsukamidono. — Daysu-Sama takes the Title of Ogosho-Sama, and stiU favors the Converts. — Influx of Dominican and Franciscan Friars — Flourishing Condition ofthe Church. — Local Persecutions. — a. d. 1599—1609, 128

Chapter XX

Attempt of the English and Dutch to discover a New Route to the far East. — Voyages round the World. — Attempted English Voyage to Japan. — English and Dutch Voyages to India. — First Dutch Voyage to Japau. — Adams, the English Pilot. — His Adventures and Detention in Japan. — a. d. 1513 — 1607, 132

Chapter XXI

Spanish Friars in Japan. — Extension of Japanese Trade. — Progress of the Dutch in the Eastern Seas. — They open a Trade with Japan. — Emperor's Letter. — Shipwreck of Don Rodrigo De Vivero on the Japanese Coast. — His Reception, Observations and Departure. — Destruction of a Portuguese Carac by the Japanese. — Another Dutch Ship arrives. — Spex's Charter. — Embassies from Macao and New Spain. — Father Louis Sotelo and his Projects.— a. d. 1607— 1618, 1*0

Chapter XXII

Origin and Commencement of English Intercourse with Japan. — Captain Saris' Voyage thither, and Travels and Observations there. — New Spanish Embassy from the Philippines. — Commercial Rivalry of the Dutch and English. — Richard Cocks, Head of the English Factory. — a. d. 1611—1613, 160

Chapter XXIII

Ecclesiastical Retrospect. — New Persecution. — Edict of Banishment against the Missionaries. Civil War between Fide Jori and Ogosho-Sama. — Triumph of Ogosho-Sama. — His Death. — Persecution more violent than ever. — Mutual Rancor of the Jesuits and the Friars. Progress of Martyrdom. — The English and Dutch. — a. d. 1613 — 1620,. .176

Chapter XXIV

Collisions of the Dutch and English in the Eastern Seas — The English retire from Japan. — The Spaniards repelled. — Progress of the Persecution. — Japanese Ports, except Firando and Nagasaki, closed to Foreigners. — Charges in Europe against the Jesuits. — Fathers Sotelo and Collado. — Torment of the Fosse. — Apostasies. — The Portuguese confined to Deajma Rebellion of Ximabara. — The Portuguese Excluded. — Ambassadors put to Death.— a. i>. 1621—1640, 182

Chapter XXV

Policy of the Dutch.— Affair of Nuyts. — Haganaar's Visits to Japan. — Caron's Account of Japan Income of the Emperor and the Nobles. — Military Force. — Social and Political Position of the Nobles. — Justice. —Relation of the Dutch to the Persecution of the Catholics — The Dutch removed from Firando and confined in Desima. — Attempts of the English Portuguese and French, at Intercourse with Japan. — Final Extinction of the Catholic Faith. — a. d. 1620-1707, CONTENTS.

Chapter XXVI

Portuguese Trade to Japan. — Butch Trade. — Silver, Gold and Copper, the chief Articles of Export. — Export of Silver prohibited. — Chinese Trade. —Its Increase after the Accession of the Mant-chew Dynasty. — Chinese Temples at Nagasaki. — A Buddhist Doctor from China. — Edict on the Subject of Household Worship. — Restrictions on the Dutch II I 'lit V. I- UK' ■ — ~ JUU ['_ L <J_I Lilt kJVAI-'JV^V VI AAVUJVIIv-u r ' **» .,_._.-£.. . Trade. — Increase in the Number of Chinese Visitors to Nagasaki. . Their Objects.— Al.i'1' . lut;icu.->. 111 LI-.**" 11 uiuiici ui x^iiiu^.-.*. ' ww" " -•-• J--— o _ -„ - - Restrictions on the Chinese Trade. —The Chinese shut up in a Factory. — Trade with Tl.t'__M[11_lrl,'_j:. KfLi LI l'_ \-f__lAAl__.<_. A 1 UU.V . AUV VMIU^UV -su-mv -- £_ --— — --*/" Lew Chew. — A. D. 1512^-1690 206

Chapter XXVII

Engelbert Kampfer. — His Visit to Japan. — Desima and its Inhabitants as described by him. — A. D. 1690, 216

Chapter XXVIII

Particular Statement as to the Dutch Trade as it exis_ed in Kampfer's Time. — Arrival of the Ships — Unlading. — Passes. — Imports. — Company and Private Goods. — Kambangs, or Public Sales. — Duties — Profits. — Exports. — Departure of the Ships. — Smuggling. — Execution of Smugglers, 241

Chapter XXIX

Nagasaki and its Vicinity as seen by Kampfer. — Imperial Governors. — Their Officers and Palaces. — Municipal System. — Street Government. — Mutual Responsibility. — Administration of Justice. — Taxes. — Government of other Towns. — Adjacent Country. — The God Suwa and his Matsuri. —a. d. 1690— 1692, 256

Chapter XXX

Kampfer's Two Journeys to Court. — Preparations. — Presents. — Japanese Attendants. — Packing the Baggage and Riding on Horseback. — Japanese Love of Botany. — Accoutrements. — Road-Books. — Norimons and Kangos. — a. d. 1690 — 1692, 277

Chapter XXXI

Highways. — Rivers. — Fords. — Ferries. — Bridges. — Water Part of the Journey. — Coast and Islands. — Frail Structure of Japanese Vessels. — Description of them. — Buildings on the Route. — Dwelling-Houses. — Castles. — Towns. — Villages. — Cottages. — Proclamation Places. — Places of Execution. — Tiras or Buddhisf Temples. — Mias or Sinto Temples. — Idols and Amulets ' 288

Chapter XXXII

Post-Houses. — Imperial Messengers. —Inns. — Houses. —Their Furniture and Interior Arrangements. —Bathing and Sweating House. — Gardens. — Refreshment Houses — "What they Provide. — Tea *,..

Chapter XXXIII

Number of People on the Road _ Princely Retinues. _ Pilgrims to Isje. _ Siunse Pilgrims - Naked Devotions - Rehgious Beggars. _ Begging Order of Nuns. - Jamabo, or Mouu- &._.a_f Beggars. -Singular Bell-Chiming. - Hucksters and Pedlers 1 ' 314

Chapter XXXIV

Departure from Nagasaki. - Train of the Dutch. - The Day's Journey. _ Treatment nf .h- Dutch. — Respect shown them in the Island of Ximo — Care wi h .wsa he Watched. - Inns at which they Lodge. - Their Reception and Tre„ta7,i If* the£ **re ness of the Japanese. - Lucky and frnlucky Days ISe^J^rSoger*6"* 7.*% CONTENTS. IX

Chapter XXXV

From Nagasaki to Kokura. — Simonoseki. — Water Journey to Osaka. — Description of that CUy. — Its Castle. — Interview with the Governors. — From Osaka to Miako. —Jodo and its Castle. — Fusimi — Entrance into Miako. — Visit to the Chief Justice and the Governors. — Description of Miako. — Palace of the Dairi. — Castle. — Manufactures and Trade. — Authority of the Chief Justice. — Police. — Crimes, 336

Chapter XXXVI

Lake Oitz. — Mount Jesan. — Japanese Legends. — A Japanese Patent Medicine. — Quano. — Mia. — Array. — Policy of the Emperors. — Kakegawa. — A Town on Fire. — Seruga. — Kuno. — Passage of a rapid River. — Fusi-no-jama, or Mount Fusi. — Crossing the Peninsula of Idsu. — Second Searching Place. — Purgatory Lake. — Odawara. — Coast of the Bay of Jedo. — A Live Saint. — Kanagawa. — Sinagawa. — Jedo. — Imperial Castles and Palace, 353

Chapter XXXVII

Personages to be Visited. — Visit to the Emperor. — First Audience. — Second Audience. — Visits to the Houses of the Councillors. — Visits to the Governors of Jedo and the Temple Lords. — Visits to the Houses of the Governors of Nagasaki. — Audience of Leave. — Return. — Visits to Temples in the Vicinity of Miako. — a. d. 1691 — 1692, 365

Chapter Xxxviii

Further Decline of the Dutch Trade. — Degradation of the Japanese Coins. — The Dutch threaten to withdraw from Japan, — Restrictions on the Chinese Trade. — Probable Cause of the Policy adopted by the Japanese. — Drain of the precious Metals. — New Basis upon which future Trade must be arranged, 1696 — 1750, 383

Chapter XXXIX

Thunberg's Visit to Japan. — Searches and Examinations. — Smuggling. — Interpreters. — Desima. — Imports and Exports. — Unicorn's Horn and Ginseng. — Soy. — The Dutch at Desima. — Japanese Mistresses. — Japauese Women. — Studying the Language. — Botanizing. — Clocks. — New-Year's Day. — Trampling on Images. — Departure for Jedo. — Journey through the Island of Ximo. — Japanese Houses and Furniture. — Manufacture of Paper. — Practice of Bathing. — Simonoseki. — Voyage to Osaka. — Children. — From Osaka to Miako. — Agriculture. — Animals. — a. d. 1775 — 1776, 387

Chapter XL

Japanese Merchants. — Journey from Miako to Jedo. — Botany of the Mountains — Rainy Weather. — Coverings for the Head and Feet. — Jedo. — Astronomers and Physicians. — Acupuncture. — Moxa. — Other Japanese Remedies. — Method of Wearing the Hair. — Visits to the Emperor and his Chief Officers. — Japanese Dress. — Books and Maps. — Succession of Emperors. — Departure from Jedo. — Gnats. — Fire-Flies. — Threshing. — Vegetables and Fruit. — Condition of the Japanese Farmer. — Casting Copper. — Actors and Dancers. — Thunberg's Opinion of the Japanese. — a. d. 1775 — 1776, 406

Chapter XLI

Isaac Titsingh. — His Residence in Japan. — Translations from the Japanese. — Annals of the Dairi. — Memoirs of the Siogun. — Liberal Ideas in Japan. — Marriage Ceremonies. — Funeral Ceremonies. — Mourning. — Feast of Lanterns. — a. d. 1779 — 1791, . . . 424

Chapter XLII

Exploration of the Northern Japanese Seas. — First Russian Mission to Japan. — Professorship of Japanese at Irkutsk. — New Restrictions on the Dutch. — Embarrassment* growing out of the War of the French Revolution. — American Flag at Nagasaki. — X CONTENTS. Captain Stewart. — Ingenuity of a Japanese Fisherman. — Heer Doeff, Director at De sima. — Suspicious Proceedings of Captain Stewart. — Russian Embassy. —Klaproth s Knowledge of Japanese. — Doers First Journey to Jedo. —Dutch Trade in 1801 and 1806. — An American Ship at Nagasaki. — The British Frigate Phaeton. — No ships from Batavia. —The Dutch on Short Allowance. — English Ships from Batavia. — Commmnca- J..U-* -- 1.1. J. 11C 1 '111. i. II till --1IH1 L -lliuntiiil.v. ""o"''** ~-.-i — tion again Suspended. — Dutch and Japanese Dictionary. — Children at the iactory.— A. D. 1792—1817, ***

Chapter XLIII

Golownin's Capture and Imprisonment. — Conveyance to Hakodade. — Reception and Imprisonment. — Interpreters. — Interviews with the Governor. — Removal to Matsmai. — A Pupil in Russian. — A Japanese Astronomer. — Escape and Recapture. — Treatment afterwards. — Savans from Jedo. — Japanese Science. — European News. — A Japanese Free Thinker. — Soldiers.— Their Amusements. —Thoughts on a Wedding. — Domestic Arrangements. — New Year Return of the Diana. — Reprisals. — A Japanese Merchant and his Female Friend. — Second Return of the Diana. — Third Return of the Diana. — Interview on Shore. — Surrender of the Prisoners. — Japanese Notification. — The Merchant at Home The Mercantile Class in Japan. — A. D. 1811 — 1815, . . . 460

Chapter XLIV

Renewal of the Dutch Trade. — Captain Gordon in the Bay of Jedo — Fisscher. — Meylan. — Siebold. — British Mutineers. — Voyage of the Morrison. — Japanese Edict. — The Saramang at Nagasaki. — The Mercatov in the Bay of Jedo. — Commodore Biddle in the Bay of Jedo. — Shipwrecked Americans. — French Ships of War at Nagasaki. — The Preble at Nagasaki Surveying Ship Mariner in the Bays of Jedo and Simoda. — New Notification through the Dutch.— A. d. 1847— 1850, 484

Chapter XLV

Foreign Relations. — New Siogun. — Dutch Trade. — Chinese Trade. — American Embassy. — Its Object. — Letter to the Emperor. — Perry's First Visit to the Bay of Jedo. — Death of the Siogun. — Perry's Second Visit to the Bay of Jedo. — Negotiation of a Treaty. — The Treaty as agreed to. — Simoda. — Hakodade. — Additional Regulations. — Japanese Currency. — Burrow's Visit to the Bay of Jedo. — Third Visit of the American Steamers, — Russian and English Negotiations. — Exchange of Ratifications. — Earthquake, . . 506

Appendix

. Note A. — The Japanese Language and Literature, 543 " B. — Japanese Names, 550 " C. — Use of Fire-Arms in the East, 552 " D. — Fernam Mendez Pinto, 553 " E. — Earliest English and Dutch Adventures in the East. — Goa, 555 " F. — Japanese Daring and Adventure Exterior to the Limits of Japan, 556 " Or. — Products of Japan. — Probable Effect of Opening Japan to Foreign Trade, by S. Wells Williams, 553 *( H. — Account of Japan, Chiefly Extracted from Japanese Works, 562 " I. — Omitted Documents, GLOSSARY. Amida. — Under this name is worshipped, in Japan, the primitive Buddha, representing, in fact, the primal deity. Adofski. — A Japanese travelling trunk, or valise. Has. — Japanese for a bridge, as Jodo bas, bridge over the river Jodo ; Nipon bas, bridge of Japan. Bikuni. — An order of begging nuns.

Bonzes. — A Chinese term, applied to Buddhist priests. Bujio, Bunyo, Banyo. — An officer or deputy, representing the Kubo, and deriving M3 commission from him. Daimio. — Prince of the highest rank. Dai bods. — Great Buddha (dai signifies great), the name of a colossal image of Buddha, near Miako. Dairi, otherwise Mikado. — The hereditary emperor of Japan, but superseded, as to actual power, by the Kubo. Djot/un. — See Siogun. Dosiu, or Doosen. — Soldiers in the immediate service of the Kubo, or Siogun. Dono. — A particle appended to names of persons, with much the force of our Mr. Feiji, or Feke. — The name of a family celebrated in the legendary annals of Japan. Fira-kana, or Hira-kana. — Easy, or woman's writing, syllabary for writing Japanese in common use. See p. 546. Gawa, river, as Jodo gawa, Jodo river.

As most Japanese towns are seated on rivers, this word, gawa, forms the ending of many names of towns. Ganting or Goka, otherwise, according to Siebold, Si/o. — A dry measure, the sixteenth part of a cubic Japanese foot, holding about three English ale pints. Half a syo or ganting of rice is reckoned by the Japanese a sufficient daily allowance for a man. See pp. 54, 185. Gobanjosi. — Government overseeing officers. The Japanese officers employed at Desima to inspect the Dutch and their trade. Gokei- — Long strips of white paper, emblems of the divine presence of the Kami. These symbols are found in all Japanese houses, kept fh little portable mias. Ilara kari. — Suicide by cutting one's self open. [tsibo, or Itsibu. — A quarter (itsi, one j st, four ; bo, or bu, part), a coin, the fourth part of a kobang.

Ifay. — Tablets commemorative of the dead. Iko siu (siu means sect, or observance). — The sect or observance of the worshippers of Amida, the most numerous and powerful ecclesiastical body in Japan. Joriki. — An inferior order of military nobles. Jama, or Yama.— A mountain, as Fusi-no- Yama, mountain of Fusi, no being the sign of the possessive or genitive case. Jamabo, or Yamabo. — Mountain priests, an order of devotees, half Buddhist and half of the ancient Japanese creed. Kambang. — Public sale of Dutch goods, held at Desima. Kami. — A god, or spirit. The national gods of Japan. The corresponding Chinese-Japanese term is Sin. Kami is also employed as a title of honor. See p. 551. Kamisimo. — A garment of ceremony, worn on festivals and other solemn occasions. It consists of two parts, a short cloak, without sleeves, called katageno, and breeches like a petticoat sewed up between the legs, called vakama.

Kappa. — A cloak of oiled paper — a Japanese term borrowed from the Portuguese. Kandarin, or Candarin. — The tenth part of a mas, equal to 5.83 grains troy. Kango. — A close litter, or chair, borne on men's shoulders. Kas, or Cas. — The tenth part of a kandarin, or hundredth of a mas, near six tenths of a grain troy. The same term, frequently written cash, and sometimes, in the' plural, casses, is applied to coins of copper and iron, current in China, Japan, and Eastern Asia generally, intended to represent the value of a kas of silver. The corresponding Japanese GLOSSARY. term is seni. The Dutch call them pitjes. As the dollar contains about seventy-one kandarins of silver, it should represent upwards of seven hundred of these kas. Kata-kana, man's writing. A syllabary employed for explanations of Chinese characters.

See p. 546. Kati, or Catty. — A. weight of sixteen tael, or a hundred and sixty mas, equal to about a pound and a third avoirdupois, the common weight in retail transactions throughout the far East. Ke n, or Kin. — A measure of length, containing six Japanese feet (sink, or sasi), or, according to Siebold, six siak, three bun (the bun being the tenth of the siak). Klaproth makes it equal to seven feet, four and one half inches, Rhineland measure ; but Siebold states the Japanese syak as equal to eleven inches eleven lines, English measure, and Kampfer always speaks of the ken as a fathom, or six feet. Kitu, or Kitoo. — Homage, or reverence, performed by one person to another. Kobang, or (properly) Koban. — A gold coin. For its weight and value see p. 55, 209, 383. Kobu, kosi, or nosi. — A sort of edible sea-weed (Fucus saccharinus), strips of which are attached to presents and complimentary notes.

Kokf, or Koku. — A quantity of rice, equal to one hundred gantlings, or somewhat more than four and a half bushels. The integer for estimating landed revenues. See p. 54, 197. Kokonots. — The sixth Japanese hour, closing at noon and midnight. For the Japanese division of the day, see p. 266, note. It appears, from Siebold, that the names given to the six Japanese hours, kokonots, yats, nanats, muts, itsuts, and yots, are the vernacular Japanese numerals for nine, eight, seven, six, five, and four, the number of strokes on a bell by which these hours are respectively indicated. For ordinary use, and especially in speaking of weights and measures, and always for numbers above ten, the Japanese employ the Chinese numerals. Kubo, or Kubo-Sama. — General, or lord general, originally the fifth officer in rank in the household of the Dairi, but for several centuries past the real, reigning emperor of Japan.

Kuge. — The family and courtiers of the Dairi. Kuti. — Ordinary day laborers. Li, or Ri. — A mile, or league (six times that of the Chinese), of which there are twenty-five to a degree of latitude, equal to upwards of two and a half of our miles. Mas. — The tenth part of a tael, equal to about fifty -eight grains troy. Mia. — Temples for the worship of the Kami. Matz. — A street ; also a measure of length, otherwise tsiju, equal to 60 ken, or 360 feet. Matsuri. — Religious shows and exhibitions. Namada. — A short prayer in Sanscrit, the pater nosier of the worshippers of Amida. Nengo. — A period of time used in dating. See p. 35. Norimon. — A superior kind of kango. Ottona. — The superior officer of a street. Offari. — Indulgence box, a sort of charm, purchased of the priests. Picul. — One hundred katti, or one hundred and thirty-three and a third pounds avoirdupois.

The common weight in the far East for heavy articles and wholesale transactions. Quanwon. — A Buddhist saint, represented by a many -handed image, and much worshipped in Japan. Quan. — A hearse. Saki. — An intoxicating drink, a sort of beer, made from rice. Sama. — Lord, appended to names and titles, with much the force of the French Monsieur, or our Mr. Seni. — See Kas. A T\X? £Q Seomio. — Princes of the second claa^r l/J-/ 4--HJ Siaka. — The Japanese equivalent of Buddha, or Fo. See p. 65, note. Sima. — Island, a common termination of Japanese names of places. Siogun. — The Chinese-Japanese term corresponding to kubo. Sinto. — Doctrine of the Sin, or Kami, the ancient and aboriginal religion of Japan. Siudo. — The doctrine of Confucius, as received in Japan. Sokano- — Eatables offered to visitors byway of refreshment.

Shuet. —Name given by the Dutch to circulating lumps of silver, stamped at the mint to certify their fineness, but passing by weight, which averages about five ounces. Tael. — A weight used in the far East equal to five hundred and eighty -three troy grains or about an ounce and a fifth troy, or an ounce and a third avoirdupois. Sixteen tael make a katti. The tael and its subdivisions — the mas, kandarin, and kas — are especially used in weighing the precious metals. Silver passing by weight in the far East, and forming there the standard of value, accounts are kept in these denominations. The tael was commonly reckoned by the Dutch as corresponding to the European crown ($1.25) which made the mas equal to the Spanish eighth of a dollar. Tira. — A Buddhist temple. Tono. — A general term, Including all the Japanese nobility.

Tsitats. — The first day of the month, observed as a holiday or Sunday See n Mst Tundi. — A Buddhist abbot. r WB*',W' Tenwo, or Teno. — August of heaven, a title bestowed on the Dalrl. Uta. — A brief poem, or distich. 4 HISTORY OF JAPAN.

Chapter I. Earliest European Knowledge Of Japan

— JAPANESE HISTORIES. — MARCO POLO'S ACCOUNT OF THE MONGOL OR TARTAR INVASION. ACCOUNTS OF THE SAME EVENT GIVEN BY THE CHINESE AND JAPANESE ANNALISTS, A. D. 12S1 OR 1283. The name Japan, pronounced in the country itself Nipon or Nifon, is of Chinese origin — in the Mandarin dialect Jih-pun, that is, sun-source, or Eastern Country. The first account of Japan, or allusion to its existence, to be found in any European writer, is contained in the Oriental Travels of the Venetian, Marco Polo, first reduced to writing in the Latin tongue, about a. d. 1298, while the author was detained a prisoner of war at Genoa. Zipangu, Zipangki, Cyampagu, Cimpagu, as dif erent editions of his work have it, is his method of representing the Chinese Jih-pun-quo, sun-source kingdom, or kingdom of the source of the sun.

The Japanese chronicles go back for many centuries previous ; but these chronicles seem to be little more than a bare list of names and dates, with some legendary statements interwoven, of which the authority does not appear very weighty, nor the historical value very considerable. Marco Polo resided for seventeen years (a. d. 1275 — 1292) at the court of Kublai Khan (grandson of the celebrated Ghingis Khan), and ruler, from a. d. 1260 to A. n. 1294, over the most extensive empire which the world has ever seen. This empire stretched across the breadth of the old continent, from the Japanese, ■> JAPAN. — A. D. 1281—1283. the Yellow, the Blue and the China Seas (embosoming the Caspian and the Black Seas), to the Levant, the Archipelago, the River Dniester, and beyond it. Not content with having added Anatolia and Russia to the western extremity of this vast kingdom, — the Greek empire being reduced, at this moment, to the vicinage of Constantinople and the western coasts of the Archipelago, — Kublai Khan, after completing the conquest of Southern China, sent an expedition against Japan ; in which, however, the Mongols were no more successful than they had been in their attempts, a few years before, to penetrate through Hungary and Poland (which they overran and ravaged, to the terror of all Europe) into Germany, whence Teutonic valor repelled them.

The accounts given by Marco Polo, and by the Chinese and Japanese annalists, of this expedition, though somewhat contradic tory as to the details, agree well enough as to the general result. As Marco Polo's account is short, as well as curious, we insert it at length, from the English translation of his travels by Marsden, subjoining to it the statements which we have of the same event derived from Chinese and Japanese sources. We may add that Columbus was greatly stimulated to undertake his western voyages of discovery by the constant study of Marco Polo's travels, confi dently expecting to reach by that route the Cathay and Zipangu of that author — countries for which he sedulously inquired through out the Archipelago of the West Indies, and along the southern and western shores of the Caribbean Sea.